Heron Rookery

Heron Rookery
The Little Calumet River running through the Rookery
Location	Porter county, Indiana, USA
Nearest city	Michigan City, Indiana
Coordinates	41°37′37″N 86°57′07″W / 41.62694°N 86.95194°W / 41.62694; -86.95194Coordinates: 41°37′37″N 86°57′07″W / 41.62694°N 86.95194°W / 41.62694; -86.95194
Area	320 acres (130 ha)
Established	1966 expanded 1980
Governing body	National Park Service

The Heron Rookery in Porter County, Indiana was set aside to protect the nesting grounds of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias). In 1980, the Indiana State Department of Correction transferred 69 acres (28 ha) to the National Park Service in exchange for 33 acres (13 ha) of land at Hoosier Prairie. In 1982, the Youth Conservation Corp constructed the trail and parking at the east side of the unit on County Road 600 E.

Pine Township in Porter County, Indiana. The east parking area, which is better developed is reached from U.S. 20 near the Town of Pines. Taking County Road 500 E, southward about 3 miles (4.8 km) to County Road 1400 N. Turning East on 1400 N, 1 mile (1.6 km) to County Road 600 E. South about 1 mile (1.6 km) you’ll find the parking lot.

The Rookery is also accessible from Chesterton, Indiana from State Route 49 and Indian Boundary Road. At Indian Boundary Road (County Road 1275 N), turn east and follow Indian Boundary Road 1 mile (1.6 km) east to County Road 300 E. At the T, turn north a short distance and take the first road east, Country Road 1300 N. CR 1300 N ends at Country Road 450 E, 1.5 miles (2.4 km), and the west parking area for the Rookery is just to the right corner of the intersection.

The most enjoyable season to visit the Rookery is when the great blue herons are nesting. From the east parking area, you can follow the trail northwards to the East Arm Little Calumet River. Across the river on the north bank is the rookery. Annually, these great birds return to nest. The great blue heron is the largest of the North American heron families. They stand 4 feet (1.2 m) tall and have a wingspan of 7 feet (2.1 m). It is best to visit with a ranger on a guide walk as they birds can be hard to find, high in their nests. If you continue west along the trail, you’ll follow the Little Calumet River for over a mile through a hardwood forest.

The herons roost in the eastern end with its tall sycamores. As you move towards the west, the woods become denser with beech, tulip poplars and maples. Here, there are a variety of smaller birds, including kinglets, wood thrushes, woodpeckers, and warblers.